Palestinians Accuse Israel of Indulging in Military Provocation

The Palestinian Authority accused the Israeli army Thursday of indulging in demonstrations of strength and acts of provocation in the Gaza strip. The

The Palestinian Authority accused the Israeli army Thursday of indulging in demonstrations of strength and acts of provocation in the Gaza strip.

The official WAFA news agency said the Israeli navy has been carrying out since Wednesday landing exercises with amphibious craft on the north coast of the Gaza strip in a "conspicuous manner."

Furthermore, Israeli troops have been reinforcing their positions, particularly around the Jewish settlements at Netzarim in the center of the Gaza strip, the agency added.

These accusations come in the wake of the failure of the mediation effort by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright aimed at organizing a three-way summit for the beginning of July between Palestinian president Yasser Arafat, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and US President Bill Clinton.

Last Friday, the Palestinian leadership, under the chairmanship of Arafat, accused Israel of favoring a "military solution" on the West Bank and Gaza Strip -- GAZA CITY (AFP)